handlin ball pythons

[mousking]

i have had some snakes in the past, but i am looking at purchasing a captive bread juvinile ball python. in the research i have done it says that a ball python often will stop eating if handled to much, but it doesn't give any idea how much is too much. so my question is how much can a ball python be handled?

[JasonBrennan]

This is going to vary greatly from snake to snake. A good rule of thumb is to bring the new snake home, and leave it alone for about two weeks. Offer it food, and if it eats, great! Leave it alone for a few days longer to digest, then you can handle it. Keep sessions short to avoid over stressing. However, if it does not eat, do not handle it until it does. If it is a picky eater, avoid handling as much as possible until it becomes an established feeder.

Once the snake is eating well, you can handle the baby every few days, just keep sessions short. That is really the key, I think. Don't over do it (no need to hold the animal for hours on end, as some people seem to try to do, and no need to take them out several times a day either).

As long as the snake is feeding well, enjoy your snake.

[PoiSoNouS]

I dont know for others... But I dont get to handle my snakes more than 1 or 2 times per week... While cleaning or just for fun.. and they dont have any problems feeding...

I heard that you shouldnt handle a snake for more than 30 mins a day.. as far as im conscerned, Unless you need to tame it down, less is best.

You shouldnt distub the snake for about 2 days after he ate, so it wont vomit.

And like Jason said, as long as hes eating well, he should do fine.. :)

Oh and BTW Ive moved your thread to the ball's forum :D